A week passed like a blur. Pyke did his promise pulling out his connection for my job. I did a job interview yesterday at the GhostRides Customs Shop. It ranked second in New York Auto Magazine last year. Their customers are mostly celebrities and rich kids.
Mr. Aaron Gray, the owner, and CEO of the shop who interviewed me is around Pyke’s age or maybe a few years older, but he’s also a good-looking guy with chocolate brown hair and hazel eyes. His build is a little bulkier than Pyke, and a few inches shorter than him.
Why am I comparing them?
To my dismay, Pyke didn’t reply to my text after sending him a thank you message. I know it’s not a big deal for him. I just can’t help but feel a little disappointed. My finger itches to dial his number since he already programmed his number in my phonebook.
I haven’t decided on the shoot, and there is a possibility that he changes his mind.
“No luck?” Bianca asks, taking the flowers from the florist.
We decide to take a walk around the flower market since it’s Saturday and Bianca loves flowers. When she invited me to visit her family in their hometown, I was surprised to see bouquets of flowers in every corner of their house like there was a special occasion.
“Luck?” I steal a glance at her as we walk down the sidewalk of the flower market. This place is like a small paradise with heavenly scents coming from the fresh flowers.
“Did he reply?”
I know exactly who she’s asking. “Why would he do that?”
I could have ten thousand dollars in my account right now if I didn’t play hard to get. I think he already found a real model to replace me.
“Try calling him and tell him you made your decision, Cam. That’s the right thing to do.” Bianca never pushes me to do something, but she seems pretty confident that accepting Pyke’s offer is the right decision I make.
“Do you think it’s a good idea? What if he will tell me the offer is over? What if he doesn’t want to do it anymore?”
“No more what-ifs, just do it.”
“I don’t need money anymore, B. I’m going to have a job,” I lie.
I’m not sure if I will get the job, and I need money. My car won’t last long, it’s been in and out of the shop a couple of times. I think it’s already a spot in the junk.
“Oh, come on, swallow that pride. You need that money. Let’s face it you need to buy clothes for your new job and you need a new car. Who works in the car custom shop with a car older than you?” Bianca is right.
I push the coffee shop glass door open. My body freezes when I see the man that we were just talking about seconds ago. My stomach flips with what I see just a few feet away from me.
Pyke is sitting in the booth beside the window with a petite redhead across the table. They seem so engrossed in their conversation. So, that’s it, huh? She must be his new model or the flavor of the day. Just by the look of her back, she seems pretty.
“Let’s get out of here, B.” I step back, grabbing Bianca’s hand.
“What’s wrong with this?”
“Let’s find another shop.”
“There is no nearest coffee shop around here,” Bianca complains.
“Let’s get out of here, please. I’ll tell you later.” I drag her away from the door before I catch attention and stride quickly away from the shop.
“Okay, you can let go of my hand now.”
“Babe!”
My feet grow heavier as I stand still rooting to the ground when I hear the masculine voice that I missed for a week. There is a hint of surprise in his tone. And is it a joy that I’m hearing? My heart thunders in my chest. He did not call me, right?
“Camila?”
So, it’s me.
“Cam, he’s calling you.” Bianca talks, pinching my fingers.
I turn around, clear my throat, and lick my dry lips. “P-Pyke.”
A whimper escapes my mouth when a body crashes into me in a huge and strong embrace. I inhale an expensive perfume-a mix of musk and mint-the same scent that I smell in that car. His car.
Before I can hug him back, the body that makes me shiver, makes me warmth, makes my heart thunders, and makes me lose in my own world is suddenly gone.
“Why did you run away?” he asks in a demanding tone.
My eyes lock with the bluest-grayest eyes I’ve ever seen-they glitter with warm and dancing with playfulness. I’m silently overwhelmed by his presence.
“Um, we changed our mind. We thought we could find another shop, right, Bianca?” I say, hitting Bianca’s arm and hopefully, she will play along.
I turn my attention back to Pyke and that’s when I notice the same woman talking to him in the coffee shop.
My impression is right-she’s gorgeous with the greenish eyes I’ve ever seen. She has the classic beauty with freckles all over her face that has no intention of covering with foundation. Her natural red curly hair and red dress make her more stunning.
She genuinely smiles at me-not the fake smile that tends to be a jealous girlfriend.
“Hi, I’m Kiara.” She offers her hand.
I swallow as I look down at her hand still hanging in the air.
She must have noticed my hesitation. “I’m not his girlfriend. This idiot here is my husband’s cousin,” she says with a laugh and grabs my hand for a handshake.
“Oh, he’s not my boyfriend either. We’re not even friends.” I smile timidly. “Not even close,” I add.
“I forced him to come with me. We checked a flower shop in that corner.” Pointing to the same building as the café. “I’m planning to add some flowers to my husband’s grand mother’s greenhouse,” she adds.
“So, did you find something you like?” I feel a hand on my back. I even forget Bianca is with me. “Oh, this is my best friend, Bianca.”
Bianca waves her hand to Kiara and cocks her brow to Pyke, and he gives her wink.
“Why don’t you and Bianca come over and join us for a cup of coffee?” Kiara suggests. She seems friendly and sincere.
I shake my head. “Thanks for inviting us, but we really have to go. We just came here to buy flowers.” Aren’t we all are? Poor excuse. I squeeze Bianca’s hand harder. “Nice to meet you, Kiara.”
“Pyke.” Kiara looks at him.
He just shrugs. I think it’s our cue to leave. He recognized me back there because I’m his employee’s cousin and nothing more.
“We should probably go, guys.” I smile at her one more time without looking at Pyke again.
My limbs shake as I silently walk away with Bianca.
Damn it!
Damn you, Pyke!
Why do I have to think about him? I try thinking about the hottest actors from Marvel’s Universe, but they don’t affect me the way Pyke does. Just his smile can solve the Chechen-Russian conflict.
I pick up my phone. Correction his charity phone.
C: Are you up?
Bianca reply seconds later
B: Yup. Sup?
C: Can’t sleep.
B: Watch a movie or read a book.
I roll my eyes because she knows I don’t read books a lot.
C: You suck.
B: Stop overthinking.
C: What makes you think I’m overthinking something?
B: Well, first, you never disturbed me at times like this and you always call me and not text me. Second, you never talked after what happened earlier, and lastly, don’t regret whatever decision you made. That’s what good for you.
C: Thanks, I guess. I love you, B.
B: You’re welcome, Cam. I love you. Now, go to sleep.
B: He’s an ass.
I smile, putting back my phone on my nightstand and close my eyes.
My eyes abruptly open when I hear the doorbell rings. Did Kyland forget his key? How did he drive without his key?
I stand up from the bed and lazily drag my ass to the door. I curse silently when I see through the peephole. Huffing a breath, I open the door wider.
“What do you want?” I ask a little harsher.
“Look at me in the eyes when you are talking to me, Camila,” he says with an authoritative tone.
My gaze meets his. He looks more rugged and rough. His feature is firm but sexy. His gaze alone can cut me in half with its intensity.
“You don’t have the right to tell me what to do. I’m not your employee. What the hell are you doing here? Didn’t Kyland report to work tonight?”
“I didn’t come for Kyland.”
“Well, we don’t have a business to discuss. Good night, Pyke.” holding the door handle and plan on closing the door right into his face.
“Camila, listen to me.” His strong voice turns raspy.
My gaze lock with his magnetic but sad blue-gray eyes.
Is he okay? I almost gasp at his sudden changes of emotion, but sometimes looks can be deceiving.
“I’m not interested in what you’re about to say, Pyke. Just go.”
He clenches his jaw and narrows his eyes on me. “You’re being stubborn and difficult, babe.” He sighs exasperatingly.
“You can’t just show your ass up here uninvited, Hughes. After you ignored me for the whole week and didn’t reply to my text, what do you expect me to do? Welcome you with open arms? I got it, you help people giving them jobs, but even a simple you’re welcome you can’t reply back? This morning you called me and hugged me in front of your cousin’s wife, then you just shrugged off. I understand she doesn’t know about your plan and I’m just one of your cousin’s employees, but you shouldn’t have done that in the first place.”
“Are you done talking? You talk a lot for a small woman like you.” A smirk forms on his lips.
I want to slap his lips hard to erase that killer smirk.
“I’m done talking, you may leave now,” I say dismissively.
“Did you hear my side? That’s the reason why am I hear-to explain.”
My eyes narrow. “About what?”
“If you are not being snobbish, stubborn, and difficult we don’t have a problem.”
“I don’t get you.”
“I was in France with my family. My cousin Bash married Kiara-the woman you met earlier. We spent a week in Paris and Greece. I can’t believe Wright didn’t mention this to you.”
“Why are you telling me this?”
“Why are you mad at me?”
“Who said I’m mad at you?”
“Then why are you running away from me?”
“What makes you think I am running away from you?”
“Then why are you so pissed at me?”
I can’t decide if I should tell him, or what should I tell him exactly?
“See? That. Is it because you thought I ignored your text? I was planning on meeting you, but I don’t know how since Wright has no idea about my offer. Are you going to accept it now or not? Or you haven’t decided it yet until now?”
I shrug. I want to say yes, but I don’t know how am I going to react in front of the camera while Pyke is naked on top of me. Does he have to be naked?
“I get it.” He runs his fingers through his hair and nods slowly.
“I’ve never done that before,” I say shyly.
“Just trust me, babe.”